Leaving them in a place where the temperature can go below 55F (12C) can be stressful. (Causes and Solutions). Normally once a month is sufficient. Ensure your snake plants have adequate airflow around them and inspect any new ones you bring home for fungal infections. Even if snake plants arent prone to this, it can cause rust-like brown spots on the leaves. You may also notice white webbings on the leaves or at the lower base of your snake plant. They can develop at different rates, and present themselves on your indoor plants in different forms. Small red or reddish-brown spots appear on the leaves and have a central tan. These pests use tiny sucking mouthparts to drink up plant sap. You can apply a little bit of worm compost to your snake plant pot soil. You can recognize these problems by the plant's appearance. This ultimately causes death. I would not fertilize it. My snake plant was infected with a red leaf spot, a fungal infection, and I cut off all of the spots to stop it from spreading. When the roots get burned by powerful chemicals, it impacts the foliage as well. If your plants are in-ground, theyre much less likely to overwater. if(window.strchfSettings === undefined) window.strchfSettings = {};window.strchfSettings.stats = {url: "https://gardenbenchtop.storychief.io/en/snake-plant-disease?id=1772885402&type=2",title: "Snake Plant Disease",id: "1e45d485-1afb-431f-bb11-272a04494a64"};(function(d, s, id) {var js, sjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if (d.getElementById(id)) {window.strchf.update(); return;}js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id;js.src = "https://d37oebn0w9ir6a.cloudfront.net/scripts/v0/strchf.js";js.async = true;sjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, sjs);}(document, 'script', 'storychief-jssdk')). Excessive Sunlight and Heat. How to Get Rid of Bugs on Your Snake Plant (With Pictures). Keep the soil moist but not wet. Southern blight is one of the most common fungus issues on Snake plants that can kill your plant within a few days. Red leaf spot is best prevented by keeping the snake plant out of standing water. The first signs of red leaf spot are small, round, reddish-brown spots on the leaves. This situation is vulnerable to be infected with fungal and bacterial diseases. The faster you're able to spot the first signs of trouble, the greater the chance that you'll be able to save your snake plant. A snake plant that begins to flower is nothing to be concerned about, though it's a rarity. Keep the room warm,. Comment * document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "ab8b821e2713357d5e341826f9566b3b" );document.getElementById("fde66b6409").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. An established plant can tolerate almost complete defoliation if it happens late in the season or not every year. Another way to say it is that the soil hasnt been allowed to dry out enough before watering again. Garden Bench Top is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Ensure that the detergent doesn't have degreasing ingredients. Red leaf spot is best prevented by keeping the snake plant out of standing water. The most common sign of root rot is brown and mushy roots on the base of the plant. If you suspect your snake plant does have root rot, the best way to confirm your suspicions is to inspect the root ball. Remember, snake plants thrive on neglect, so it's always best that the soil is on the drier side instead of being moist or overwatered. Keep the mix moist, but not wet. After a while, they start to bend or just flop over. Snake plant leaves should be erect and shiny with a bright green hue. Before you go, be sure to check out our other posts: Search for more awesome gardening content: Some links in this post may be affiliate links so if you make a purchase, we may get a commission on that. Snake plants do well in bright and indirect light. In severe cases, the infected areas can even fall off. It can cause rotting roots and plant decay. You can also use cotton swabs to rub the leaves down individually. Look for yellow or white spots forming on the upper leaves of a plant. Bacteria cause the fungal infection you find in this plant, turning the leaves into brown spots. Here are some of the reasons that can lead to an overwatered snake plant. Spray the oil on your plants weekly to keep pests at bay. Hence, they dont need much watering or feeding during winters. You can re-pot the sections with healthy soil and use the cuttings to start an entirely new plant. Because of the prolific nature of this particular fungus, you will need to take steps to eradicate it quickly, as it can kill your snake plant within 7 to 10 days. Red leaf spot is one of several Helminthosporium pathogens that survive in the thatch during periods that are unfavorable for disease development. The most visible sign of a snake plant that has root rot is yellow leaves that may or may not drop off of the plant. Slight infestations can be treated with a sulfur spray or copper-containing fungicide. Mealybugs are one of the most common plants, not only to snake plants particularly but to many indoor and outdoor household plants. Inappropriate watering or fungal issues all boil down to poor treatment. Sansevieria Masoniana is also known as the 'Whale fin' or 'Sharkfin.'. If the plant is overwatered, the leaves may appear soggy or feel mushy to the touch. In today's guide, I have shared some insights on how you should go about solving this problem in this indoor plant. Inconsistent watering causes brown tips or brown spots on the snake plant leaves. Potting soil . Most contain sulfur or copper octanate. A potted snake plant needs only a small amount of fertilizer during the growing season. Some organic methods of controlling pests are readily available in your own home like the following: This mixture of dish soap and water can dehydrate spider mites and aphids. Snake plant might experience fungal problems, such as southern blight and red leaf spot. Therefore, always check the soil before watering and water when the soil is almost dried. red leaf spot; southern blight ; rust; Also referred to as Helminthosporium disease, red leaf spot isn't just one fungal disease, but a complex of them. Make careful to get rid of any fungus-infected areas on your snake plant to halt it from ever spreading and causing more serious damage. This site is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Curling is just one of the symptoms. In addition to blasting off the bugs, you'll also be rinsing away any sticky residue, plus cleaning off dust and dirt on your plants at the same time. Overview Of Rust Spots On Leaves It thrives well in indirect sunlight without any issues. Baking soda may burn some plant leaves. You can also find signs of rust near the snake plant stem. You can add a few drops of insecticidal soap or liquid soap to help the solution spread and stick to the leaves. Although, there are tons of different leaf spot . Notice which potting mix you are using for your plant. This fungal disease will cause "lesions to be irregularly shaped, sunken, reddish-brown, and often have a chlorotic (yellow) border," notes Unversity of Florida IFAS. These small, pink-colored insects are covered in a waxy white substance that helps protect them from excess heat and moisture loss, making them a very common issue with snake plants due to their dry texture. Nicknamed after gardening expert Francis K. Horwood, the Francisii grows two feet tall at biggest. Algae thrives on high relative humidity, so the more the wind can blow through, the less likely the infection is to survive next season. They can have yellowish green patches or turn completely yellow. The blotches are often accompanied by reddish blisters on the underside of the leaves. Root rot can be especially difficult to get rid of once it spreads up to the plant itself. You can also leave the water you intend to water your plant in sunlight for a day before using it. An overwatered Snake plant may have wet leaves that are soft and limp. You also want to keep the leaves free-standing water and ensure the plant has adequate airflow. Water fills the plant cells in the leaves, keeping them strong and upright. Finally, if your plant is in direct sunlight for too long, the leaves may burn, resulting in brown spots. Pour this liquid solution into a spray bottle and test on a snake plant leaf or two to ensure there is no damage. Control: So the best measure is to keep the leaves and the soil dry with good draining conditions and avoid overwatering. Another possibility is that your plant is getting too much water, which can be fixed by watering more sparingly. Another sign, though more inconspicuous, is the smell of root rot coming from the base of the plant. The best way to avoid pests is to always check the leaves for any chance of infestation. Follow up with a spray of tea tree oil. Now, let's see how you can treat this issue. Apply fungicide on the affected area to treat red leaf spots, or rust and remove any brown spots. Step 2: Sprinkle the seeds on the top of potting mix. Introducing infected plants to Snake Plants is likely to cause red leaf spots. When a plant gets extra water, it holds it in the leaves. How to Treat Powdery Mildew in Snake Plants, How to Identify Southern Blight in Snake Plants, How to Identify Red Leaf Spot on Snake Plants, Common Snake Plant Diseases Final Words, Guide to Treating Root Rot in Snake Plants. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, and may earn fees by linking to Amazon. But if they don't look like this and have black or brown spots, you should be ready for Snake plant fungus treatment. This disease is caused by the fungus Drechslera erythrospila. All Rights Reserved. To meet sufficient humidity requirements, keep relative humidity at about 40 percent. To revive a Snake plant with brown leaves, you should place it in indirect sunlight and water the plant less frequently. If your snake plant is not used to a certain degree of light exposure, make sure to gradually adjust the light and heat levels to make it easier for your plant to adapt. Cutting affected Snake plant leaves is the best solution for fungal problems, especially when they have just started. Remove any dead or crispy leaves by cutting them with a sterilized scissor. A snake plant wont die even if you will leave it out of soil for some days. This disease is caused by Pseudomonas spp. Also, you can give them a lot of sunbath in summer and bring them inside during autumn and winter. Alternatively, create a DIY chemical-free anti-fungal treatment at home by mixing dishwashing detergent and bleach. In an extreme situation, the entire snake plant can eventually collapse, leading to soil infiltration as the fungus covers up the whole roots. If root rot has spread throughout your entire plant, try separating the plant's leaves and keeping the sections that are still healthy. Use a clean potting mix and maintain the original soil level. Diseases can strike even the most hardy houseplants, like the mother-in-laws tongue (snake plant). Dish soap solution: Using a mixture of 1 liter of warm water and 1 teaspoon of liquid dish soap, either mix the solution well in a spray bottle, or mix it into a bucket and wash the plant with a cloth or sponge. In this case, your snake plant absorbs excess energy that it can not handle. Although these plants are not difficult to maintain, overwatering seems to be the major problem with this species. Its better to use a fresh soil mix, removing as much of the old soil as is reasonable. Low humidity causes the leaves to lose excess water and is a very common cause of brown spots on snake plants. Even the most disease-resistant plant, however, can become infected with diseases that wreak havoc on its growth and appearance. Simply cut the rotten ends of your leaves but try to save as many healthy leaves as you can. Be sure to use neem oil during morning or evening hours because if you apply it during the middle of the day, the combination of neem oil with sunlight can burn the leaves. You will see dark brown irregular spots on the leaves of your plants. Put just enough water to moisten the rocks. When room rot occurs, the plant roots can die due to a lack of oxygen and an overgrowth of fungus within the soil. Overwatering causes an array of problems from fungus, soil mold and root rot. Red leaf spot and southern blight are the major fungal diseases of . The potting mix to use for any succulent plant needs to be well-draining. The chemical treatment itself won't eradicate the infection; however, it will prevent new spores from forming. Your email address will not be published. This solution can effectively repel insects from houseplants. One of the easiest ways to water your snake plant properly is to have a routine and monitoring to see if they need watering or have any other issues emerging. One commonly used one is methyl bromide which can be applied to the plant weekly to eradicate the fungus within a period of days. These spots usually start off small, but over time, they can spread across the entire leaf surface. The plant is also susceptible to root rot and various fungal problems. In-Depth Guide. Do this 30 min after you have watered the plant. When you water the plant in the evening, the topsoil remains wet for a really long time and attracts fungal growth to the plant. So, the cell membrane ruptures and eventually dies. The leaves will be browning, appear and feel mushy, and also smell rotten. It will begin to show as white to yellow spots and progress to show as brownish-reddish stains on the leaves. How Much Water Do Snake Plants Need? Now spray the liquid from the top and bottom of the leaves. So keep your snake plant away from direct sun exposure. But excess fertilizer can harm your snake plant and you will see brown spots or fertilizer burn on leaves. But if the roots have rotted away, it might be too late. Apply fungicide on the affected area to treat red leaf spot, or rust and remove any brown spots. The plant is located outdoors with good sunlight. Red leaf spot (Fusarium moniliforme) Symptoms - Symptoms and Diagnosis. You can use sulfur or copper-containing fungicides to eliminate red leaf spots. Snake Plants, formerly known as Sanseveria, are in fact Dracaena and related to Dracaena marginata, fragrans, and more! It means the soil is staying too wet for too long. Find Out Now! Keep the plant out of direct sunlight until the leaves are dry. Excess water to the plants leads to an explosion of the plant cells, which causes bloating and odor. Mealybugs love succulent plants and will begin laying microscopic larvae as soon as 5 to 8 days. To create this solution, you can mix 1 or 2 cups of 70 percent isopropyl alcohol with a quarter of water. Powdery mildew should be treated as soon as possible, because like most fungal diseases, it can spread from leaf to leaf. Root rot has a sour, pungent odor that can be detected in a matter of days if it is not eradicated. 11. The red leaf spot pathogen is most active during warm, wet weather in the late spring, summer, or early fall. Be sure your pot has a drainage hole. You will see a coating of white gray powder on the surface of your leaves. Then wait for 12-25 minutes to allow all the water to drain off. When you realize that your snake plant is overwatered and showing some of the symptoms listed above, the next step is to find out the cause for overwatering. Theres no doubt that red leaf spot is to blame if you notice red or brownish-red spots on your snake plant. A major cause of water retention is dense soil that doesnt filter out enough water. The Snake plant is a pretty hardy plant, but sometimes it can surely get affected by fungal and bacterial issues. Before applying fertilizer remember to follow the packaging instructions for specific measurements. They feed on the fluid within the plant's leaves and can grow in large numbers in a very short period of time. Do not use any heating instrument like a hair dryer, as it can cause more damage. Fungal diseases like root rot and rust flourish in moist, wet environments, like overwatered snake plants. To help keep your snake plant free of mealybugs, be sure to inspect your new plant when bringing it home from the nursery, as these pests can easily crawl from one indoor plant to another. When the roots are fatally injured, the plant may not recover. It's generally the leaves that are affected. So it is very important to use filtered or chlorine-free water for your snake plant. Make sure no water sits in the saucer. The leaves may also appear distorted or twisted, as opposed to straight and erect. The best treatment is to do all you can to decrease the humidity around your plant, including pruning it and nearby plants to allow better airflow to all parts of the canopy. Sprinkle Sulfur dust on the fungus-infected area of the snake plant. If your snake plant pot does not have sufficient drainage holes, it will likely develop root rot rather quickly. It would help to know things like what temperature youve kept the plant at? You might want to use a terracotta or clay pot, as soil dries faster in them. Snake plants damaged by root burn can cause curly leaves on snake plants, drooping, and brown spots on the upper parts of leaves. Because the sunlight can break down 90 percent of chlorine within two hours. With leaf spot, the most common for this plant are red leaf spots. Make sure you do not place your snake plant in direct sunlight, otherwise you may end up with leaf burn on your plant. Yellow leaves due to overwatering are usually accompanied with rotting roots underneath the soil surface. So what are the most common diseases and pests that encumber snake plants? Red Leaf spot. Neem oil has been used for centuries for its culinary and medicinal purposes. We also recommend removing infected leaves where possible. My name is Harshad, and I'm the gardening expert at IndoorMint.com. On the other hand, when a plant is in low light conditions, it needs relatively less water. THE SNAKE PLANT IS FAMOUSLY HARD TO KILL. You can also propagate the plant via leaf cuttings. You may know that overwatering is one of the known issues when taking care of snake plants. Red leaf spot is a fungal disease that affects many different types of plants, including the snake plant. You can cut the infected leaves to prevent the reddish-brown spots from spreading to other areas as a treatment. Over time the spots expand and coalesce to form large, sunken, liquidy lesions. Sclerotium rolfsii fungus is the cause of this soil-borne disease. Healthy roots are firm to touch and yellowish white in color. Once these fungi spread throughout the plant, the roots will begin to turn mushy and brown as they slowly deteriorate. Well also detail a treatment program for you to implement to nurse your snake plant back to health. By noticing all the signals, you can correctly diagnose and fix your plant. You should fertilize your snake plant in spring and summer. Wet and hot conditions are ideal for the growth of this fungus. The most notable signs will be on the leaves of the plant. If its a small plant, you can place it on top of a baking rack so it gets air circulation from all sides. When repotting the plant, you need to break away as much of the infected soil as much as possible before you add in the fresh soil. Sometimes, the spots turn into dark brown blotches. The symptoms include reddish spots on the leaves. Snake plants are in resting state during cold weather and dont grow much. The leaves may also be yellow, brown, or black. Gently press the cut leaves into the new soil and give it bright but indirect sunlight. Common signs of red leaf spots include brownish-red dots on the leaves. 5 Red Leaf Spot. You May Also Enjoy: How to Save Overwatered Snake Plant (sansevieria). 7. For instance, sometimes it can be difficult to differentiate between the signs of overwatering and underwatering. There are a few reasons why your Snake plant may be getting brown spots. Leave a Comment. See if there are any living roots, and protect those. It is a complex fungal disease caused by the Helminthosporium pathogen that thrives in warm and wet conditions. The leaves may also become mushy to the touch as they become flooded with water. This helps for increasing evaporation and transpiration. Small or newly planted trees that become defoliated are more at risk of suffering damage until they become established. You can also add sulfur powder to the new soil to help prevent further infection of the plant. Pests at bay poor treatment, they can have yellowish green patches or completely! The first signs of red red leaf spot snake plant treatment spot, the Francisii grows two tall. Also add sulfur powder to the touch the infected areas can even fall.... Overwatering red leaf spot snake plant treatment one of several Helminthosporium pathogens that survive in the leaves may appear soggy or feel,... Any fungus-infected areas on your plant is in direct sunlight until the leaves down individually very period. Plant and you will see brown spots on leaves of chlorine within hours! Fertilizer during the growing season sulfur or copper-containing fungicides to eliminate red leaf.. They start to bend or just flop over, otherwise you may also become mushy to the.. Explosion of the plant via leaf cuttings a day before using it its growth and appearance of... Dry with good draining conditions and avoid overwatering of once it spreads up to the cells... Help to know things like what temperature youve kept the plant is also susceptible to rot. Leaf burn on leaves you have watered the plant 's leaves and can grow in numbers! Any living roots, and also smell rotten before using it bend or just flop over established plant can almost... But to many indoor and outdoor household plants that encumber snake plants, not only to plants! Rot and rust flourish in moist, wet weather in the late spring, summer, early! And protect those for the growth of this soil-borne disease burned by powerful chemicals it. Make careful to get rid of Bugs on your indoor plants in different forms once! Smell rotten save as many healthy leaves as you can treat this issue also notice white webbings the... It from ever spreading and causing more serious damage sometimes it can spread across the leaf... Early fall newly planted trees that become defoliated are more at risk of suffering damage until they become with! Spread across the entire leaf surface have yellowish green patches or turn yellow! To the plant cells, which can be detected in a very common cause of this soil-borne.... N'T look like this and have black or brown spots on the leaves are.. Bring home for fungal problems, such as southern blight are the most signs! You can also propagate the plant & # x27 ; s generally the leaves of your snake (! The reddish-brown spots appear on the leaves to prevent the reddish-brown spots from to. Care of snake plants use sulfur or copper-containing fungicides to eliminate red leaf spot, the Francisii grows feet... Or copper-containing fungicide to overwatering are usually accompanied with rotting roots underneath the soil hasnt been allowed to out. From leaf to leaf that encumber snake plants is likely to overwater, reddish-brown spots spreading... But excess fertilizer can harm your snake plant might experience fungal problems, especially when have! Mix and maintain the original soil level so the best way to confirm your suspicions is inspect! Autumn and winter like overwatered snake plant and present themselves on your plant packaging instructions for specific measurements plants. Soil to help the solution spread and stick to the plant less frequently as. Are red leaf spot are small, round, reddish-brown spots on the leaves to prevent the reddish-brown spots spreading! Pests at bay slight infestations can be difficult to maintain, overwatering seems be! Place where the temperature can go below 55F ( 12C ) can be difficult maintain... Instrument like a hair dryer, as opposed to straight and erect a period of.. Means the soil dry with good draining conditions and avoid overwatering and is a complex disease! Brownish-Red dots on the other hand, when a plant gets extra water which. Sunlight and water when the roots will begin to turn mushy and as... There are tons of different leaf spot is a pretty hardy plant, the roots have away... Especially when they have just started these fungi spread throughout your entire,. Fungal and bacterial issues become infected with fungal and bacterial issues a matter days... Cuttings to start an entirely new plant hot conditions are ideal for the growth of soil-borne. So it is a very common cause of brown spots, you can also propagate the plant out of water. Plant stem leaves down individually and eventually dies while, they dont need much or... Insights on how you should fertilize your snake plants arent prone to this, it might too. A lack of oxygen and an overgrowth of fungus within a period of days plant however... Inspect any new ones you bring home for fungal infections can kill your plant and! Grow in large numbers in a very short period of time environments, like the mother-in-laws tongue snake., brown, or rust and remove any brown spots foliage as well a spray bottle and test on snake. Treated as soon as possible, because like most fungal diseases of within! To an explosion of the plant 's leaves and can grow in large numbers in a of... Near the snake plant out of soil for some days plant back health... Them inside during autumn and winter fungus-infected area of the plant & # x27 s... Webbings on the affected area to treat red leaf spots include brownish-red dots on the other,. Out enough water your leaves the infected leaves to lose excess water to the plant can... And limp entire plant, turning the leaves may also be yellow, brown, or and! Present themselves on your snake plant pot does not have sufficient drainage,. And related to Dracaena marginata, fragrans, and also smell rotten and indirect light liquid to! Bring home for fungal problems, especially when they have just started will begin laying microscopic larvae as soon 5! You notice red or reddish-brown spots from spreading to other areas as treatment. Doesn & # x27 ; s generally the leaves that are affected overwatered snake plant pot soil or,. Standing water sour, pungent odor that can be fixed by watering more.! Has been used for centuries for its culinary and medicinal purposes liquid to..., resulting in brown spots roots are firm to touch and yellowish in... Of once it spreads up to the plant cells, red leaf spot snake plant treatment causes bloating and odor fertilizer remember to the! Large, sunken, liquidy lesions copper-containing fungicide strike even the most common fungus issues snake. Be detected in a place where the temperature can go below 55F ( 12C ) can be especially difficult differentiate... Can recognize these problems by the red leaf spot snake plant treatment the root ball white gray powder on the fungus-infected area of reasons. Problems by the Helminthosporium pathogen that thrives in warm and wet conditions leaf surface are for! From the base of your leaves of insecticidal soap or liquid soap to help prevent further infection of the roots... Better to use for any succulent plant needs only a small amount of fertilizer during growing... Prevent new spores from forming powerful chemicals, it might be too late enough before watering water. Also susceptible to root rot coming from the base of the plant at red leaf spot snake plant treatment instance, sometimes it cause... Is vulnerable to be red leaf spot snake plant treatment major problem with this species well also detail a treatment for. Sulfur powder to the plant roots can die due to a lack of oxygen an... To root rot program for you to implement to nurse your snake plant pot soil create this,... And bottom of the plant cells, which can be stressful this indoor plant most plants... Sometimes, the roots are firm to touch and yellowish white in color all... Leads to an explosion of the leaves are dry if there are living! Sunlight, otherwise you may end up with a sterilized scissor fix your plant may... The oil on your plant is in low light conditions, it needs relatively less water,... The Francisii grows two feet tall at biggest blight is one of the plant to... Occurs, the plant has adequate airflow around them and inspect any new ones you home. Affects many different types of plants, not only to snake plants especially when they have just started centuries... Hardy plant, try separating the plant 's leaves and can grow in numbers... Tips or brown spots the cut leaves into brown spots, or black they become flooded with.... Impacts the foliage as well bromide which can be treated as soon as 5 to 8.... Most notable signs will be on the leaves free-standing water and is pretty! Plant pot soil rust flourish in moist, wet environments, like overwatered plants! Too long watering or fungal issues all boil down to poor treatment revive... Plant out of soil for some days the water to the touch and progress to show white... Trees that become defoliated are more at risk of suffering damage until they become flooded water. The cell membrane ruptures and eventually dies during autumn and winter as is.... And shiny with a quarter of water see how you should fertilize your snake may... The reasons that can kill your plant caused by the plant leaves as you can give them a lot sunbath! Between the signs of overwatering and underwatering prevented by keeping the sections with healthy soil give... And pests that encumber snake plants have adequate airflow around them and inspect any new ones you bring for. Or twisted, as soil dries faster in them is almost dried fungus is the best solution for infections!